Physical attacks on journalists reaching new peak
Physical attacks on media workers in Germany noted a new peak last year with majority of cases in connection with protests against coronavirus measures. Authorities must react with stronger measures, otherwise, the already incipient withdrawal of media professionals from on-the-spot reporting threatens to become a structural problem of journalism, The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) says in a report.
”If (even) more journalists withdraw because the continuing pressure of the enemies of the press threatens their physical and mental integrity, then freedom of the press is in danger”.
Key findings:
- With 83 physical attacks against media workers, 2021 exceeds the peak of 2020 (69 attacks).
- 75 % of all cases occurred at protests against the coronavirus measures.
- Although Saxony remains the negative front-runner with 23 cases, attacks in western Germany are increasing significantly.
- 39 % of assaults in 2021 were from the right-wing spectrum, 1 % from the left-wing, 60 % could not be clearly assigned.
- Journalists are increasingly withdrawing from reporting on protests. A winter of violence: 19 cases in December 2021, 18 cases in January 2022 – never before have so many cases been recorded in two months. Overall view 2015-2021: The ECPMF documented 265 cases.
Sigrun Albert, General Manager of the German Federal Association of Digital Publishers and Newspaper Publishers said: “Unfortunately, the new study confirms our assumption that local journalists are increasingly being targeted by violent attacks because of their work. Hateful attacks and massive digital threats are also at least as disturbing.”
The report says one can venture the prediction that in the future, attacks will also be recorded in regions that have not been affected by explicit press hatred so far.
”There is little to suggest that the aggression will subside. Should new outrage movements appear on the scene in the future, as some sociologists have already predicted with regard to pro[1]tests against climate protection measures, it is likely that the acts of hatred from the circle of those alienated from democracy and the media will continue.”
”Demonstrations will therefore in all likelihood remain danger zones. Politicians, the judiciary and the police must react to this with stronger and faster sanctions against the enemies of the press, and journalists, media companies and press organisations must expand their protective measures. Otherwise, the already incipient withdrawal of media professionals from on-the-spot reporting threatens to become a structural problem of journalism: If (even) more journalists withdraw because the continuing pressure of the enemies of the press threatens their physical and mental integrity, then freedom of the press is in danger.”
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